The Viking Age
FanSided

Minnesota Vikings: Top 5 cut day takeaways

By Josh Clarke

SEATTLE, WA - AUGUST 18: Head coach Mike Zimmer of the Minnesota Vikings looks on against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on August 18, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - AUGUST 18: Head coach Mike Zimmer of the Minnesota Vikings looks on against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on August 18, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 18: Alex Boone #76 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates with quarterback Sam Bradford #8 after a touchdown pass in the third quarter of the game on against the Green Bay Packers September 18, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings went on the win the game 17-14. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 18: Alex Boone #76 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates with quarterback Sam Bradford #8 after a touchdown pass in the third quarter of the game on against the Green Bay Packers September 18, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings went on the win the game 17-14. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

A Whole New Line

The Minnesota Vikings’ offensive line will look drastically different in the upcoming season compared to 2016.  After the line’s well documented struggles last season Matt Kalil, Brandon Fusco and Andre Smith were let go after the season and on Saturday the Vikings parted ways with 3 more lineman who saw playing time last year.

Alex Boone was the most surprising name among the roster cuts as the Vikings looked to go in a younger direction despite his $3.4 million guaranteed salary.  Boone had his struggles in his first year but he entered training camp entrenched as the team’s starting left guard as the Viking’s looked to rediscover their blocking prowess.  A mid-training camp knee injury may have proven to be his downfall as it opened the door for Nick Easton and Pat Elflein to gain first team reps. The duo obviously impressed and with Boone out of the picture they look set to line up next to each other against the Saints. Pro Football Focus gave their opinion on what may have been the deciding factor of Boone’s release.

"Boone was decent in pass protection a year ago (earning a 79.9 grade), but really struggled as a run blocker. His run blocking grade of 49.3 was a big reason why the Vikings were last in the league in 15+ yard runs (five) and yards per carry (3.2) in 2016."

Minnesota also released two former 4th round draft picks in T.J Clemmings (2015) and Willie Beavers (2016). Unfortunately neither player played lived up to their draft status. Beavers failed to make the 53 man roster in 2016 and only played 11 snaps last year despite the amount of injuries the Vikings suffered at his position. Clemmings on the other hand had the most snaps across Minnesota’s offensive line a season ago but failed to make them count, largely disappoint when he was on the field. Unlike Boone, Clemming’s pass protection appeared to be his downfall as per PFF, as he allowed the 3rd most pressures amongst qualifying tackles.

To be fair all 3 players may make meaningful contributions to a team in the upcoming season (Clemmings has already been claimed by the Redskins) but after the offensive lines shambolic display in 2016 it shouldn’t shock anyone that the Vikings are looking to distance themselves from the players involved. Heading into the season opener the Vikings look set to line up from left to right as follows; Reiff, Easton, Elflein, Berger and Remmers. A bold new world awaits in front of Bradford and Cook, it can’t possibly be worse than the last one.

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